National Republican., 1887-12-19
THE PRINTERS FRIEND DEAD.
Deaths Finger Touo es Prominent
Newspaper Proprietor.

DGhtuh EhukbE houc bh " fTOnnNuBnN
Newspaper Proprietor.
. Hon. 8. 7. Rounds, editor aud proprietor
Of the Omaha Republican, died Saturday
evening Of pneumonia after an illness OF
ten days.
Sterling p. Rounds was one OF the beat
known men in Chicago and the west. For
many years he kept the largest printers
bis aid hundreds OF newspapers aud Job
offices were started that would otherwise
have never been in existence.
He was thorough Republican OF the
most pronounced type and enjoyed the con-
fdence Of the leading men of the party.
Shortly after President Arthur's inaugu-
ration Mr.. Rounds was appointed public
printer, succeeding the late Hon. John ID.
Defrees. The arduous duties pertaining to
that office were never more acceptably
performed than by lin. Under his admin
istratlon employment was given to larger
number OF deserving men and women than
either before or eince, and the utmost liber-
ality that justice TO the government per.
mitttd characterized his dealings with the
employees Of that immense establishment.
While he was public printer the office was
raised to as high standard as any yet at.
tained by government department., both
as TO the character Of the employees and the
high grade Of their work. He was an
ardent advocate OF the "fifteen days leave
with pay" bill, and the enactment OF that
measure was largely due to bis active et.
forts and powerful influence. His ability
as practical executive officer was recog-
retained In bis position. Three times did
he forward his resignation to the white
house and each time was he requested to
remain little longer. In August, 1886, he
insisted on the Presidents accep ptance of
bis resignation. On the Goth Of that month
bis successor was appointed, and on Sept
l5 Mr.. Rounds turned the Office over to
him.
The esteem in which Mr.. Rounds was
held was evidenced by the crowd OF em
ployes that thronged the pnrlors OF the
Ebbiit House on the evening OF Sept. co.
1856, for tie purpose OF saying farewell to
the man who had beiu more OF their friend
than superior officer The printers aud
stereotJ ptrs presoGttd him with an elegant
silver service Of twelve pieces, and in the
address which accompanied that token OF
gent uiBe respect were the folio wing re.
marks:
You have long been one of us. Our welsire
and comfort have always engaged your most
earnest end solicitous thoughtc. You have
studied TO know ana do that which was for
our best interests, at the same time jealousy
guarding the interests of the government
Under your wise management of affairs the
interests OF one were always recognized as the
interests Of the ohtr. Aud now that you are
about 10 go out from our inidstw feel that we
cannot say good-Sy without accompanying
the parting words with something which will
always be to you testimonial OF our warm
gratitude and sincere regard.
We have seen many Instances where mem
bers of our craft, who, being tossed upon s,me
wave OF fortune which reversed their condi
tions and made them employer instead Of en-
p oye, forget that they themselves once tolcd
at the case, and had frequently complained OF
their hard lot. We have seen them In their
turn become the most exactlng employers; the
erstwhile journeyman transformed Into an arbi-
trary taskmaster, and his composing.room
seen so much of this that when we meet one of
our craft who, as au employer so far from for
getting the source Fl ON which he sprang, rather
remembered II that he might tighten the bur
den and soften the nsperities of a fellow. crafts
mans life,w feel constrained to do him honor
Sir, In you we recognize such man.
Other gifts came from the clerks, book
binders, and others In the office. The
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, In an editorial on
Mr.. Rounds's administration said:
During his term OF office hc disbursed over
Sl2,0O0CO0 Some appreciation of the account
ing system in the department may bs obtained
from the fact that the closest scrutiny of bJth
the Republican and Democratic ndmlnistra.
tions has failed to show the payment of 81 ofthis
immense sum which was not made according
to law. There have been no blunders, clerical
or OtherWlse. MOI single voucher or account
has eyer been suspended or found in error. The
In the personal details he was quite as loyal
to his duty. He set q good example to the
employees by being the earliest on duty IN the
morning and the last to leave. Hi, treatment
of them was Just and generous. He fought
hard for the fifteen days leave, aud urged
1t in every report he made 10 Congress
until 1t was secured. lie did away with
the old system OF constant aud I'M
methGdical fnrloughs. Whonever iheir
proper demands were In question he sided
with them, aid extended to them every priv-
lege consistent with law. IL is little wo iier,
then, that their feeling for him Is so cordial,
and that They. nj re- t, an all others, regret his
retirement IL Is rarely that the head of de.
parincnt earns SUI h q warm hold upOu those
who are engaged vi h him In the public SCI.
vice. He leaves more regretted than any other
man " bo ever held his position.
We write this not a. n conventional eulogy
II is simply an nct of justice to n gentlemen
who has thoroughly eIrned public qul private
regard. He has been faithful servant and
deserves the hoitst praise which Is accorded
him. He has won lle friendship and g5ol
Will OF every man with whom he has been
brought in contact. either socially or oilicl4lly
and this is but a lust tribute to a life which
has been one OF honor and usefulness. II
would not be at oil strange If the same
qualities CT head and heart should ensure hi,
return to n Lo.ition even higher than thai
which lie has so well filed WaShiugtou
would certainly welcome hisreturn as he Lrtly
as II regrets his departure.